Goals

I don't do resolutions, because I never stick to them. Instead, I have set some goals for myself this year.

In no particular order, I would like to accomplish the following:

Spin 12 pounds of fiber

Knit/spin down my stash before purchasing more or swiping stuff from my Etsy/Hyena Cart stock

Make a quilt a month.

Make something for myself each month

Do not buy fabric on a whim, only for a project that will be finished within the month of purchase.

Keep up with my blog

I would also like to start doing fun holiday things with/for my kids. I always have big plans, but never follow through & it's time I start making time for them!

So far, I'm making great progress! I have knit a Honey Cowl for myself from stashed yarn.

I also knit a Regina for my Step Grandmother's birthday out of scrap yarn.

I have already spun & plied over a half pound of yarn!

Christmas Candy merino

Wood Sprite BFL

Out With The Old...

Wow, it's been a long time since I've attempted to blog. Almost as long since I've even glanced at any of the blogs I follow.

2011 was a crazy, busy year. I took on far too many projects & customs & got more than a little burnt out. After taking some time away from customs to reflect & regroup, I am ready to enter the new year with a fresh start.

It was a difficult decision to make, but I will not be taking many custom orders in 2012. I will be focusing on ready to ship items, with the occasional custom offered in very limited numbers.

I have been working on writing my first knitting pattern & hope to have it ready for release for the January Capella stocking. I will also be joining the ranks of Their Own Knitted World & I find it is a huge compliment to be in a group with so many talented knitters.

As the year winds down, I am frantically trying to finish up my current UFO's (un-finished objects) so I can start the new year with a completely blank slate.

I am challenging myself to only purchase fabrics or yarns needed to complete a specific project. No more buying just because it's pretty & I must be realistic & let go of supplies I will not be using. I have a group of friends that are entering the challenge with me, which should make it easier for all of us to stick to our plan.

Tour de Fleece

So, did I mention that I got a spinning wheel from my awesome husband for Christmas? Well, I did. I was all excited & attempted to spin a little here & there when I had a few extra minutes in Jan, Feb & March. Then, I got frustrated that it wasn't just clicking & well, poor Betty (yes, I named my wheel) has been sitting in the corner of my craft area ever since, just begging for some attention.

Enter le Tour de Fleece. JUST the motivation I needed to get Betty the workout she so rightfully deserves. What the heck is the Tour de Fleece, you ask? It's a group on Ravelry for those of us that need motivation to, um, actually spin the fiber that we have been collecting & petting. And motivate, it did!
The TDF started yesterday & runs along with the Tour de France ;) I spun a couple ounces of the lovely purpley yarn on the right last night after the girls went to bed. I then spent the better part of today ignoring my children & household duties to finish spinning & then plying the two lovelies below :) (Don't worry, I didn't really ignore my kids, I just didn't follow them around cleaning up the little pathes of destruction, i.e. toys & clothing). Oh & did I mention, I dyed the fiber myself? That's another new hobby of mine, but we can talk more on that subject at a later date.
Not too bad for the first two days of the event, eh?

Celebrating Seuss

Dr. Seuss is a HUGE favorite in this house. We read his stories over & over & they never get old. In honor of his upcoming birthday, I will be doing a special Seuss themed stocking. I've got several cute sets in the works & some hand dyed yarns inspired by a couple books/characters as well. I'm still not 100% sure where I will stock yet...Hyena Cart? Etsy? Both? All I know for sure is March 2nd is the day, so keep an eye out.

I've got a stack of several prints from the latest Suess line from Robert Kaufman, as well as some discontinued prints I've been hoarding. I will be offering lots of new goodies & may bring back an old favorite or two as well.

Knitting Christmas

Now that it's officially over, I can share some of my handmade projects. I am so blessed to have a family that appreciates hand crafted gifts & I enjoy creating new things for them whenever possible.

This year, it was mostly knit items that were gifted, but I did make the hubby a new case for his Nook & a squishy velour pillow case.

Nana got a Cedar Leaf Shawlette. I absolutely adore this pattern & used one of my favorite yarn bases Madelinetosh Vintage in Kale.

My Dad works at a nuclear plant, so I just had to make him a mutated fish hat. We've always joked if you ate the fish from their cooling pond, you would glow in the dark. LOL
This is just one out of a set of four holiday wash/dish cloths I made my Mother-in-Law. She got a shawl for her birthday in November, so I kept her presents simple this year :hides:
For my teenage stepsons (and my pre-teen & teen nephews) that are too cool to wear a scarf in the chilly Illinois weather, a cool mustache cowl. These were a huge hit & they have been wearing them indoors even! Knit using my own Shelby Merino Superwash Wool in Grasshopper.
My Great Grandmother has lovely blue eyes & this color looks fabulous on her with her silver hair. It's also knit from Tosh Vintage in Baltic.
Bad lighting, but this Boneyard Shawl is also knit from the same dye lot of Baltic & looks fab together.

Sneak Peek

The fundraiser items have started to arrive. I got a box of squishy soft Malabrigo yarn today that will become a couple newborn sets. I plan to have one girly set, a boy set & hopefully a gender neutral set if time allows. This yarn is so unbelievably soft & absolutely perfect for wrapping a newborn in.

Here's a couple of my recent knitting projects:

This hat was knit from the Truffula Tree yarn I kettle dyed.

Part of a custom order for Shane. Still have a couple matching dresses to finish up.

Fundraiser

In September, I will be holding a fundraiser on my hyenacart shop to raise money for Operation Smile. All monies will be donated in honor of sweet little Carter. I am currently looking for donations, if anyone is interested in donating a handmade item, yarn or a knitting slot, please contact me at pinkebody@yahoo.com or simply leave a comment here with your contact information so I can get in touch with you.

It only takes $240 for one operation, which will change the recipients life forever.

You can also donate directly via TeamCarter's One Smile page.

Custom Updates

I know I've said it a thousand times....I'm going to be more organized & keep my blog updated, yada yada yada... Well, this time I mean it! No, really. I promise. I'm also going to be regularly updating my etsy shop :)

Blog updates will be coming at least once a week & the shop will be updated the first Friday of the month (at least to start out). I also stock at Capella the third Monday of every month, along with several other talented ladies.

I'm also working on a new blog header & have a few patterns running through my head that I hope to finally get written up to share with my fellow craft junkies.

Now, to the custom list.

Shane ~ started 7/22

Melissa ~ starting Monday 7/26

Stacie ~ starting after Melissa's (should be Tues or Wed of next week)

Dye job

Anyone that knows me, knows that I cannot sit still. My hands are always busy. When I was younger, I was always drawing or writing. I absolutely love to work with color & I still sketch out clothing ideas as they pop into my head.

Lately, my creative outlet has been yarn. Knitting mostly, but I decided to dabble in dyeing & I.am.hooked.

These are a few of my attempts & I see a LOT more in my future. I am taking a couple along on vacation & will hopefully return with finished garments......depends on how well the fish are biting ;)

I will share my creations in two weeks when I return, until then I leave you with some yarn porn.

I have a new addiction

Carter Needs Our Prayers!!!

If you could spare a moment & say a prayer for sweet little Carter & his family, they could sure use it right now. This beautiful little boy has had a special place in my heart from the day he was born & he has touched so many in his short time here. I truly believe he's not finished with his journey, but still has a long way to go.

You can read all about Carter here

Craft Show Booth & Custom Update

Please excuse the cell phone pic, but I wanted to share some of the fun from my first craft show. I shared the booth with my friend Kelly(the cutie in the pic) of Megan's Musings & we had such a blast! It was a first for both of us & we can't wait to do it again.

I'll be listing my leftover merchandise in my etsy shop this week & Kelly has her extra bows up on facebook ;)

I am going to use my blog to keep an update on custom orders from here out. I am so thrilled with all the requests I've gotten recently, and look forward to seeing all your little cutie pies in their pinkebody gear :)

Ok, here goes....

Kristen ~ crossover tee, recycled footies & elastic repair on 3 diapers ~ cut out

Allison (the fancy one) ~ 18 month reversible dress w/bloomers, Apron knot dress size 8, boyish embellish burp cloths ~ cut out

Aimee~ 2 twirl skirts to match "just peachy"

Alison (TM) ~ twirl skirt to match Octo tank

Issa ~ Raspberry Ginseng Sydney jacket size 8, seahorse tee & crab tee

Fabriholic's Will

Being of sound, mind, and body, I _____________ do hereby record my last will and testament, knowing that _____________, my ______________ (husband, sister, daughter, etc.) has no appreciation of, or in some instances, knowledge of my extensive fabric collection deposited throughout the house.
Knowing that also _____________ has contacted the local thrift store, should I precede him or her to the great fabric shop in the sky, to pick up or dispose of the aforementioned collection.
Therefore, I do will this collection and all collections related to it, to my dear fabric preservationist ______________. It is my wish that she upon hearing of my death, and the inability to take it with me, come to my house and stack my entire collection in my studio.
She should then purchase refreshments for all of my friends and they shall gather in that room and remember me, then peacefully divide the collection amongst themselves.
Be forewarned, I will be hovering over this process! The rest of my worldly possessions (cars, stocks, house, etc.) can go to those who do not understand this event.
Signed __________________
Date____________

Let's Do This!!

What a busy month February is turning out to be! Not only is there a stash game going on over at sewingmamas, there is an ebay listing challenge at herecomesthestork. PLUS, I'm testing a new knitting pattern for my friend Lynne.

So far, I have been very productive! I've finished 2 knitting projects ~ a fish hat for one of the hubby's friends & a pair of longies for Lala.





I've also been productive in the sewing department. I've finished a custom hooded dress and a horse themed raglan tee for my oldest daughter.







There are several other projects in the works that just need finishing touches (including something for ME, yay), but those will be finished up before the Super Bowl tonight.

I finally listed the embroidery accessories I don't need/use or had duplicates of on ebay and 2 of them sold within 24 hours!! If that isn't motivation, I don't know what is!

AND, in case anyone is wondering, my kids ARE all fed & the house is clean (minus my stuff to list pile by the computer). I can't say they don't spend some days in their pj's, but it's too cold to go play outside anyways ;)

Not too shabby for the first week, eh?

Now that it's over

I guess it's safe to share pics of some of the gifts I made this year :)

Not sure if I've mentioned it or not, but I started knitting this year & I am completely addicted. Living in Illinois, I had a few hat requests this year.

The above fish hat belongs to the hubby & I cannot believe the amount of requests I've had for these things now!!



An ear flap hat for my stepdad.

Beret & dropstitch scarf set for Grandma D.
Hooters pj's for the eldest man child.
Mario tee for the youngest man child.
Hudson Hat in Harley colors for my Pops.
Hudson Hat in "rainbow" for the eldest girl child. She designed it herself :)

We haven't had our Christmas with the inlaws yet, so I have a few more gifts to share next week.
I also ran out of knitting time & gave my mom an IOU. Luckily she's crafty & very understanding. I should have a cowl & some fingerless gloves finished up for her in the next week or so.

The Winners Are In!!!

The girls just drew names for my etsy prize giveaway and the winners are.....

Girl prize - zacatecas
Boy prize - JessAnnT
Mama prize - elphaba71

I will be contacting you all in a bit to get shipping info & will get them all in the mail tomorrow :)

And, random.org chose comment #5 Congrats Snarky Mom!! I'll email you in a bit to get your address as well.

It's giveaway time!

Want to win this cute little monster? All you have to do is leave a comment & tell me what your favorite Christmas ornament is & why :)


Today is also the last day to earn an entry into my etsy giveaway. You can still earn an entry until 11:59pm pacific time with each single item purchased. I will be listing a few new things throughout the day as well.

Names will be drawn for each giveaway on Thursday morning :)

Last Day

To get that special letter from Santa!! AND, they're 15% off as well :-)
You could also get one from Rudolph, Frosty or Mrs. Claus as well!!

Custom Updates

I'm going to start keeping track here of the progress of my custom orders.

These will be in the mail tomorrow:

Maddielayne-3 Christmas stockings

GoJagsWins-Twirl skirt & the tee you set me to match

emric2278-Thing 1 & Thing 2 Crossover Set

I'll get pics up in the am, so you can peek if you want to ;-) I will also be posting another giveaway tomorrow.

Miss Fancy, your coasters will be on the way Monday.

I greatly appreciate your business & look forward to working with you all again next year.

Next year, I'm going to start taking Tuesdays off & will not even be turning the computer on that day, at least that's the plan.

Etsy Christmas Prize Package Drawing

I figured it was probably time to give you a little hint at what will be included in my etsy drawing prize packages. I'm not going to tell everything, but I will give you a couple hints ;-)

In case you have no clue what I'm talking about, I am going to give away 3 wonderful prize packages in December. Each item in the package will be hand made by me. Some are items similar to things I have stocked & some will be complete surprises!! Every single item you purchase from my etsy shop between now & December 15th will get you one entry into the drawing. Winners will be posted here on December 17th, items will ship via UPS to guarantee Christmas delivery!!

Each prize package will come to in a very festive package, you may want to hang with care.

The mama package will be sure to get the recipient cooking in style.

The boys prize package will bring out the monster in your little man (not the scary kind).

The girls prize package goes perfect with a spot of tea & also includes a little something to hang from the tree.

These are just a few little hints, I may post teasers pics between now & then, so stay tuned.

Custom listings count as well, so if you see something listed, but it's not your color/theme, feel free to contact me, I may just have what you're looking for :-)